Barcelona, who suffered their first La Liga defeat of the campaign last weekend, saw off a battling Malaga in their quarterfinal second leg tie after the two sides had been locked 2-2 from the first meeting.

Defending champions Barcelona went ahead on the night after just nine minutes when Pedro Rodriguez headed in a cross from Dani Alves after good work by Xavi.

But Joaquin Sanchez, with a right-foot drive, levelled for Malaga three minutes later.

Four minutes after the interval, Gerard Pique, who became a father for the first time this week when pop star girlfriend Shakira gave birth to a son, marked the occasion by volleying in Barcelona's second.

Roque Santa Cruz controversially equalised in the 68th minute after a Malaga counter-attack.

But Barcelona were furious that Cesc Fabregas had not been awarded a penalty when he was stamped on by Wellington.

Eight minutes later Andres Iniesta made it 3-2 after a smart one-two with Fabregas before Lionel Messi grabbed Barcelona's fourth of the night, heading in an 80th-minute cross from Iniesta for a 6-4 aggregate.

In the night's other tie, Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 at Real Betis for a 3-1 aggregate and a semifinal clash against Sevilla.

Real Madrid advanced to the semi-finals on Wednesday after a 1-1 draw at Valencia saw Jose Mourinho's side progress 3-1 on aggregate.

Sevilla clinched their berth in the last four with a 4-0 rout of Real Zaragoza following a goalless first leg.